Seme Customs Intercepts N1.4billion Tramadol Concealed With Diapers

Operatives of Seme Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), have intercepted some items suspected to be tramadol capsules concealed with 200 packages jumbo size of adult diapers in a container.

According to a statement released by the Public Relations Officer of the Command, DSC, Hussein Abdulahi Onawo, on Sunday disclosed that the items have a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N1.4billion.

Onawo, who quoted the Controller of the Command, Comptroller Bello .M. Jibo, said that the container was handed over to the Command on 15th November 2021 by the Republic of Benin Authorities under transit to Nigeria.

The container marked MRKU 9090415 came under the watch of officers of the Command as no importer or his representative have come forward to continue the process of clearance procedure.

He said, “On December 20, 2O21, the Nigeria Customs Service invited other security agencies and stakeholders to witness the examination of the said container.

The following items were discovered during 100 per cent examination: 200 packages of adult diapers, 100 cartons of Gabadol 120mg (suspected to be tramadol) equivalent to 360kg.

“The diapers were smartly arranged at the front of the container while the drugs were at the back.

The statement also revealed that, the Controller, Comptroller Bello Jibo directed that samples be taken out officially and handed over to National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to ascertain and confirm the drugs (Gabadol 120mg),” the statement said.

Seme Command has initiated a full- scale investigation with a view to fish out those involved in the illicit importation.

“Consequently, the Command has also initiated a full-scale investigation with a view to fish out those involved in this illicit importation.

He said further that, “The Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the suspected drugs and Diapers is N1,447,927, (One billion, Four Hundred and Forty Seven million, Nine Hundred And Twenty Seven Thousand, Fifty Naira) Only.”.

While warning perpetrators of unlawful activities to avoid the Command or meet their Waterloo, Compt. Jibo said that officers and men of the Command are not losing guards at ensuring that smuggling under any guise is brought to the barest minimum.

He said facilitation of legitimate trade remains the cardinal objectives of the Command.